Dubai International Airport is world-renowned, handling around 30 million passengers annually and connecting over 160 destinations with more than 110 airlines. The Airport has three terminals, with Terminals 1 and 2 handling both international and domestic flights from airlines around the world, and Terminal 3 being for the exclusive use of Emirates Airlines and its passengers.

Before departing their country of origin, Dubai-bound passengers should check visa requirements for entry into Dubai. Upon arrival at the airport, passengers should proceed to passport control where they can present their visas or be given visas upon arrival, depending on nationality. At this point, passports are stamped with an entry date – most visit visas are valid for 30 days from the date on the entry stamp, although some visas (such as transit visas) have a shorter validity time.

Visitors to Dubai should be aware of current customs regulations when entering Dubai. Passengers are allowed to bring items in the following quantities into Dubai without incurring any additional duties: gifts up to a maximum value of Dhs.3,000; 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 500g tobacco; and four litres of alcoholic beverage, or two cases of beer (24 cans per case). Items, such as cameras, mobile phones and laptops are exempt from duty, as long as they are for personal use only.

It is prohibited to bring certain items into Dubai and passengers should be sure not to bring any of these items with them, either intentionally or accidentally. It goes without saying that all kinds of narcotic drugs, including cocaine, heroin, cannabis, opiates and any derivatives are prohibited, and should any visitor be caught with such substances, they face stiff punishment that will almost always involve lengthy jail time. The following substances are also banned: poppy seeds (even in bakery products), qat leaf, betel leaf or nuts,niswar and gutkha.

Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications that are available in your home country may fall on to the prohibited items list in Dubai. Check the list of prohibited medicines carefully, and avoid bringing these medicines with you. If medical necessity requires you to take such medications, please ensure that you have a medical certificate from a UAE-licensed practitioner, or a medical prescription and a detailed doctor’s report from your doctor in your home country. Even with such documents, you are not permitted to carry more than a three-month supply at any time.

Other prohibited items include pornographic material, non-Islamic religious pamphlets, fireworks, ivory and rhinoceros horn, endangered animal species, items of Israeli origin weapons and ammunition, chemical and organic fertilizers, gambling tools, laser pens, radar jammers and other unauthorized communication devices, and any objects that do not adhere to the religious and moral values of the UAE.

Dubai International Airport is a world-class facility offering a pleasant arrival experience for all passengers. Those passengers with special needs or who require extra assistance can talk to airline or airport staff to request help. Passengers wishing to fast-track their progress through passport control may want to consider booking the Marhaba service: for a small fee, a Marhaba representative will meet you before the immigration area and walk you through visa collection and passport control, before accompanying you to baggage claim and offering assistance with ground transport.